Cafe Corazon: Best Cappuccino in Playa

It's a Celebration!

And the winner for best Cappuccino, Café Corazon, throws a party!

by Suzanne Bandick

PMN joined Café Corazon owners Allison Fonte and Amir Neustdt and Amirs 18 year old son Matan for a wonderful party at the café to celebrate their success. Friends and many loyal clients were also in attendance.

Everyone was treated to free cappuccinos and lemonade as well as tasty samples of their delectable food.

So enquiring minds want to know - where did this all begin for Allison (originally from Southern California, USA) and Amir (originally from a Kibbuz, in Givat Brenner, Israel)?................

All pictures provided by Tom Doody

Amir and J.P. - GM of PMN

Both Amir and Allison have been in Playa for about a year. They met when Allison was dining with a girlfriend at Maktub Arabian Restaurant about 6 months ago. Allison says “Amir just walked up and started talking to us.....like he tends to do with everyone. We hit it off right away. I really like his directness and energy. We have been great friends ever since”.

Why did they decide to buy Café Corazon? Allison continues “Amir knew the owners, so he had the inside scoop that they were contemplating selling the business in order to focus more of their energy on other projects and their personal lives. We both love the location. Moreover, Fiona and Anna, the founders of Cafe Corazon gave us a wonderful canvas and a good reputation to build upon.

“We believe this part of Quinta Avenida has tremendous growth potential with all of the new construction of apartments, businesses and hotels. Also, we were attracted to the true sense of community that we felt on this block, between 28th and 30th, in particular. It is unlike any other place in Playa. It is such an international community too. The business owners really care about making this block special and unique. Everyone works together as a team to support one another. We encourage you to order food from any of the adjacent restaurants (sushi, Arabian food, Mexican food) and eat it with your order from Cafe Corazon. You can also order from Cafe Corazon and have it delivered to any of the other restaurants on the block too. It is sort of a "outdoor food court" concept...we want our customers to have a wide variety of choices so that they can come here everyday and have something new, if they like.”

As for background, Amir co-owned the highly successful Lincoln Cafe on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the early 90's in addition to running many other entrepreneurial businesses in NYC and Atlanta. Allison co-founded one of the largest design firms and a public relations firm in NYC that specialize in the architecture, branding and marketing of retail businesses around the world.

What is you vision for the café? They tell us to expect a lot of changes as they settle in. They are making upgrades and refinements, highly personal touches every day to the food, service, decor, music and concept. Enthusiastic Allison continues “Besides offering the best coffee, food and desserts....our goal is to be a warm, inviting, service-oriented, and to be a personal and social hub serving the local and international tourist community here in Playa.

A successful cafe should be a community gathering place that promotes interaction, it should offer the excitement and energy of unknown possibilities.....of romance, or to meet a new friend or lover, to make a business contact, or to catch up on all the local news, or just to chill. We want our customers to feel comfortable to come alone or with their friends....enjoy the international magazines, play a game of backgammon or to just sit back and watch the incredible scene of beautiful, colorful people and activity always passing by the cafe.”

Picture: Pamela Robins, Allison Fonte and a friend from the states.

What is the secret to a great cappuccino? “Well, THAT IS a secret....no really, a delicious, rich Chiapan bean along with the highest quality Italian Pavoni Cappuccino machines, and of course, TLC (tender loving care) are muy importante,” Allison tells us “ We are always getting tips from our Italian friends because honestly, the Italians make the world's best cappuccino and we want to learn from the masters,”

Amir will be bringing some of his best, creative Panini recipes and the most delicious fresh breads to Cafe Corazon. Their goal is to provide quality food at affordable prices. Right now, the most popular panini/or grilled sandwich is a thinly sliced premium salami with fresh avocado and tomato on fresh chapata bread that is grilled just before eating.

In this hot and steamy weather, iced frappes are also a huge hit. They are topped with a generous amount of whipped cream and premium Italian chocolate shavings.

Picture: Suzanne Bandick and Pamela Robins

They are in the process of developing a mailing list and website to promote special events and functions at Cafe Corazon. A Backgammon Tournament and a Street Fair will be coming up this month. So drop by and let them know you want to be on their list.

Where will the PMN “Best Capuccino” Award go? It is already on display right in front over the refrigerated food and dessert display.